Shock absorber



.May 8, 1923' Z. P. LOYD suocx- ABsoRBEn Filed dan. 111;` 1920 0MM., l

INVENTOR Zelmere R Patented May 8, i923.

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ZELIVIERE P. LOYD, F COALINGA, CALIFRNA, ASSIGNOR TO LOYD` MANUFAC- TURING CO., OF OAKLAND, CALFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0F CALIFORNIA. I

SHOCK ABSORBER.

Application led January 14, `19520. Serial No. 351,328.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ZnLMnnn l. Lori),

a citizen of the United States, residing at Coalinga, in the county of Fresno and State of California, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Shock Absorbers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a shock absorber and especially to a device capable of absorbing both shocks and rebound movements in a vehicle. l

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, substantial and cheaply manufactured shock and rebound absorber for motor vehicles and the like, whereby sudden shocks and vibrations caused by obstructions or undulations in a road surface may be largely absorbed, and especially to provide a shock absorber which is adapted to cooperate with the ordinary semi-elliptical springs `with which most standard vehicles are equipped.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shock absorber in which all shocks and vibrations are absorbed by spring action solely; further to provide a rigid housing in which the springs and entire mechanism is inclosed and protected from dust, grit and moisture.

Another object is to so construct the shock absorber that the inclosed parts may be readily lubricated. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a shock absorber which absolutely prevents all lateral movement or side sway and which may be installed on practically any car without cutting the frame or changing the springs is any manner.

Another obiect of the invention is to provide means for rigidly connecting a pair of shock absorbers whether they be placed in the front or rear of the car thus further securing and bracing the springs and car against lateral move-ment. 4

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the shock absorber showing it attached to the frame and ,spring .of the vehicle i Fig. 2 is a cross section on line 2-2 of Fig'.

Fig. 8 is a rear view of a vehicle showing the bracing connection employed between a pair of shock absorbers.

Referring t0 the drawings in detail, A indicates a cylinder on which is secured a pair of heads 2 and 3, onel being disposed at each end of the cylinder. Formed on the rear side of the cylinder and near the lower end thereof is a vertically extending slOt 4, and formed on the exterior side of the cylinder just above said slot is a pad or reinforced extended section 5 which isy drilled and adapted for the reception of a-bracket plate v6 carrying an arm 7 which extends into thej forward end of the frame 8 of the vehicle, being secured thereto by bolts 9 or the like. The cylinder is in this manner rigidly attached either to the front or rear end of the main frame of a vehicle, and lug 10 formed on the front side ofeach cylinder is provided for the purpose ofl tying and bracing the cylinders with relation to each other. this being accomplished by means of a rod 11 which extends through the lugs and is secured therein by means of nuts 12.

(See Figs. 1 and Slidably mounted interior of the cylinder is a piston 14 and extending through the head members and the piston is a rod 15 which is `secured to the head members 2 and 3 by means of nuts 16 and 17. The piston 14 is slidably mounted upon the rodand is also slidably mounted within the cylinder. The piston is provided with lug 18 which extends through the slot 4. This lug is fork-shapedv as ett-19 rand is perforated to receive a bolt 20 which is secured between the ears of the lug 18 bv means 0f nuts21. The pin 20 passes through the eye of the leaf spring shown atl 22 and it thus forms a coupling orconnection between the frame and the spring, that is, the cylinder proper is rigidly secured to the fra-me 8 by means of the pad 5, the plateV 6 and thearm 9, while the piston 14 is secured to the spring 22 by means of the proiecting lug 18.

For the purpose of re sisting tlieinovement of the piston 14 with relation to the cylinder a series of coil springs 24. 25, 26 and 27 are provided. The springs 24 and 25 are interposed between the top of the piston and a nut 0r cap 28 secured tc the rod. and `the tension et g incassi the springs 2l and 25 is varied by changing,` the position et the cap 28. This is accomplished by threading' the rod l5 and the cap, anu it is therefore only necessary to turn the bolt l5 in one direction or another to increase or decrease the tension oi" the springs 24; and rlhese springs in conjunction with the semi-elliptical springs :22 carry the normal load of the vehicle and they also cushion any shocks or vibrations imposed thereon The spring` 27 is interposed between the bottom or the pirton and the cap 3 and is employed for the purpose ot absorbingexcess rebound movements. rlhe spring 2S is interposed between the top oit the piston and a nut 30 which is also secured on the rod l5. The spring 2G is comparativi-1y heavy land is only provided tor the purpose of absorbing excess shocks.

For the purpose or" retaining the springs .9J/L l 26 and 2T in proper position, l cup the upper end oli the piston and the loiver side ot the cap 28. This structure partially incloses the springs and thereby serves as a means for positively holding' the same in alignment and in proper operating; position. The spring; 2G does not reach the nut so it is only engaged by the nut when the springs 24 and 25 havebeen compressed to their maximum limit, Further movement or compression is thus taken up by the spring 9,6 and breakage or overloading of the springs 2li and 25 is thus obviated.

For the purpose of properly guiding` the piston 14C with relation to the rod l5 and the cylinder, .l provide bearing' members 32. These bearings are in the form of bushings and are suitably secured in the piston, for instance., by a lower head member such as indicated at For the purpose of insuring` a proper lulnicrution. an oil groove 84 is provided. Thisreceives oil jrom the central passage 85 formed in the rod Which may be iilled from time to time by unscreiving the nut or cap 17. Further lubrication. for inst-ance between the interior surface or the cylinder and the exterior surface of the piston, is taken care of by an ordinary oil or grease cup as at 3S.

From the 'foregoing description it can be seen that the springs and other mechanism employed are completely inclosed Within the cylinder A by means oit the caps 2 and 3, thus excluding dusty grit, moisture, etc. Further that all parts employed are thoroughly lubricated thus reducing' friction to a minimum. Rigidity is obtained iirst by providing comparatively long pistons and cylinders. Secondlyu by tying the cylinders together as by means ot the rods l1. Third, by rigidly attaching the cylinders to the main frame as at 8 and 9. Positive alignment is in this manner obtained and Wear of the connected parts reduced to a mini mum7 lateral movementl or sway being of course entirely obviated.

fr sboclr absorber constructed and applied here shown materially reduces the amount vibration transmitted to the main frame i the vehicle. This is due to the cooperation of the urings 24. and 25 with the semielliptical springs 22. lt also materially reduces excess snocks and rebounds as the load or force exerted under such conditions is transmitted to a larger spring area. The lite of the car, as Well as the mileage ot the tires, is thus materially increased and onel 'is above all assured ot comfortable and smooth riding, this being` materially assisted by reducing` the side sivay of the car to a miriinurn.

lllhile certain features of the present in vention are more or less specilic in construction l Wish it understood that various chances in design7 form and proportion may be resorted to Within the scope of the appended claims, similarly that the materials and iinish' or the several parts employed may be such as the experience and judgment ot the manufacturer may dictate or varying conditions may demand.

Having; thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. a device ot the character describer, the combination with the main 'trame ot a vehicle and the springs whereby the frame is supported, ot a cylinder secured to the trame, a head member on each end or the cylinder, a piston the cylinder, a springin each end or' the cylinder engaging; the pistonY a rod ertendine through the cylinder and secured by the head members means permittinn` turning); movement oi" the rod` means actuated by the turning; movement of the rod tor increasing; or decreasing; the tension ot the springs within the cylinder`r and a connection between the vehicle spring and the piston. Y

2. a device olz the character described` the combination vith the main frame ot a vehicle and the springs whereby the trame is supportedn Ot a cylinder secured to tbe traine, a head member on each end ot tbc cylii lei; a piston in the cylinder, a spring: iu each cud ot tbe cylinder enrragrincj the piston` a rod egteiidins' through the cylinder and secured to the cylinder members.y means tor turning:` tbe rod. threads formed on one end ot the rod., a nut ou the rod enea enable with one ot the springs Within the c inder and adapted to increase or decrease the tension thereof, and a connection between the vehicle spring1 and the piston.

ln a device ot the character described, the combination with the main frame of a vehicle and the springs whereby the frame is supported, of a cylinder rigidly secured to the framea a piston slidably mounted in llO the cylinder, a slot formed in the lower end of the cylinder, a lug on the piston projecting through said slot, means for connecting said lug with the vehicle spring, a spring in each end of the'cylinder engaging the piston, means for increasing or decreasing the tension ot said springs, said means comprising a rod extending through the piston and the cylinder and secured by the cylinder leads, a thread formed on one end of the rod, a cap carried by the rod and adapted to be advanced or retracted by turning movement of the rod to increase or decrease the tension of the springs within the cylinder.

4. n a device of the character described, the combination with the main frame of a vehicle and the springs whereby it is supported, of a pair of cylinders secured to the frame, one on each side thereof, a piston reciprocally mounted in each cylinder, aconnection between each piston and the vehicle springs, a brace connection between the `cyliuders. springs interposed between each end of each cylinder and each piston, a rod eX- tending longitudinally through each cylinder and piston and stationary with relation to the pistons, and means actuated by turninomovement of the rods for adjusting the tension of the springs. v

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with the main frame of a vehicle and the springs whereby it is supported, of a pair of cylinders secured to the frame, one on each side thereof, a piston f reciprocally mounted in each cylinder, a connection between each piston and the vehicle springs, a brace connection between the cylinders, springs interposed between each end of each cylinder and each piston, and means for increasing or decreasing the tension of said springs, the last named means comprising a rod extending through each cylinder and piston, and stationary withv relation to each piston, a thread formed on the upper end of each rod, and a nut carried by the threaded portion and engageable with the uppermost springs.

6. ln a device of the cliaracter described, the combination with the main frame of a vehicle and the springs whereby the frame is supported, of a cylinder rigidly secured to the frame, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a slot "formed in the lower yend of `he cylinder, a lugr on the piston projecting through said slot, means for connecting'said lug with the vehicle spring, a spring in catch end of the cylinder engaging the pisthrough the cylinder and centrally posi-4 tioned with relation thereto, means for securing the rod between the head members, a piston slidably mounted upon the rod lwithin the cylinder, a pair o1c bearing members, one at each end oit the piston engaging the rod, and a spring interposed between each end of the cylinder and the piston,

8. in a device or' the character described, a

cylinder, a head member on each end of the cylinder, a rod extending longitudinally through the cylinder and centrally positioned with relation thereto, means for securing the `rod between the head members, a pisten slidably mounted upon the rod within the cylinder, a pair of bearing members, one at each end of the piston engaging the rod, a spring interposed between each end of the cylinder and the piston, and means in one of the cylinder for increasing or decreasing the tension of the springs.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in the presence Yof two subscribing witnesses.

ZELMERE P. LOYD. lWitnesses i GORDON W. GIBSON, R. il. GonMAN. 

